Damen wins European Navy frigates contract
Damen has been selected to provisionally supply at least four Multi-Purpose Combat Ship MKS 80 frigates to a European Navy.
The Dutch naval shipbuilder will work with partners Blohm + Voss and Thales to supply the frigates to the German Navy, if parliamentary approval is granted.
The ships will be built at Blohm + Voss shipyard in Hamburg and at other shipyard locations of the North German Lürssen Group, parent company of Blohm + Voss. Damen intends to build in this way in order to spend around 80% of the total net investment as added value in Germany.
The same applies to the electronic application systems that are supplied by Thales Nederland to its own design. Around 70% of the services will be provided by the German subsidiary of Thales and by other German subcontractors.
Boost for the Netherlands
Damen said the project will provides national knowledge and expertise for the Netherlands. This offers the Dutch Government the option, in upcoming Dutch naval construction projects for frigates and submarines, to have these types of strategic programmes devised, engineered, managed and deployed in their own country.
The MKS 180 project contributes to securing the export power and self-creation of both Dutch and German naval construction in the longer term. The project also opens perspectives for the requested European (defence equipment) cooperation, added Damen.
By Rebecca Jeffrey
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